Luke 9 Part 1 (7)

Pray Psalm 72.7, 8.
In His days the righteous shall flourish,
And abundance of peace,
Until the moon is no more.
He shall have dominion also from sea to sea,
And from the River to the ends of the earth.

Sing Psalm 72.7, 8.
(Martyrdom: Alas! and Did My Savior Bleed)
Let righteousness abundant be where Jesus’ reign endures.
Let peace increase from sea to sea ‘til moonlight shall be no more.

Read Luke 9.1-27; meditate on verses 6, 13, 20, 27.

Preparation
1. How do these verses show us that the Kingdom of God had indeed come near with Jesus?

2. What other glimpses of the coming Kingdom do you see in verses 1-27?

Meditation
During His earthly sojourn, Jesus was the trailer for the coming Kingdom of God. His life, teaching, miracles, and other good works all pointed to that which would come to earth with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2 (cf. Dan. 7.18; Is. 9.6, 7).

During His earthly sojourn, Jesus explained that, with His coming, the Kingdom was “at hand” (cf. Matt. 4.17). He was the Kingdom, and He had come to proclaim and demonstrate its rightside-upping power and to create desire and anticipation for its coming (cf. Acts 1.1-7). Those who saw and heard and followed Him were to believe that, when the Kingdom came, they would know and see it (v. 27).

But what an exciting foretaste of the Kingdom He gave! Ordinary men invested with extraordinary power to bless, heal, and preach (vv. 1-6). Resources for sharing and serving abounding out of the grace of God (vv. 10-17). The greatest truth the world had ever known or seen revealed with transforming power to unschooled men, demoniacs, sufferers of every sort, rich and poor alike (vv. 18-20). Multitudes called to follow in the footsteps of Jesus in self-denying, sacrificial, loving service (vv. 23-27).

Could you see that if suddenly it began to be apparent throughout your community? Yes, you could.

Yet all this depended on one Man, called to embody and announce, to suffer, to die, and to rise from the dead (vv. 21, 22). “‘Tis mystery all” indeed! A mystery to which you and I and all who believe in Jesus have been called (1 Thess. 2.12).

Look at Jesus and see the Kingdom to which we are called, for which we pray, and which to seek is our highest privilege and priority.

Treasures Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
Years ago, a Hush Puppies shoes commercial featured a rather benighted lad who, upon receiving his new shoes proclaimed, “I can wear shoes. I can be somebody!” It was memorable for its cleverness, humor, and in-your-face exaggeration and complete joy.

How about us? We live in the Kingdom of God. The Creator of the entire world (Gen. 1.1; Jn. 1.1-3) is the Father of the King of kings and Lord of lords (Jer. 10.10; Rev. 19.16). Our leader. Our King. Our Ruler, Savior, Teacher. The Christ of God for goodness’ sake, and we can hardly get excited, let alone live obediently and with gratitude.

The imaginary lad with the shoes showed more enthusiasm than we who are the children of God and citizens of His Kingdom. So, “since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear” (Heb. 12.28). And perhaps throw in some unabashed joy.

We are so blessed. We are so loved. We are so called (1 Jn. 3.1). “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy” (1 Pet. 2.9, 10).

We can not only wear shoes, but we are somebody! We are God’s somebodies and are His children, residents of His Kingdom. Proclaimers of His Law and co-laborers with Him (1 Cor. 3.9) to bring others into this glorious Kingdom of goodness, love, and light.

We’ve a story to tell to the nations that shall turn their hearts to the right,
A story of truth and mercy, a story of peace and light, a story of peace and light.

For the darkness shall turn to dawning, and the dawning to noonday bright,
And Christ’s great kingdom shall come to earth, the kingdom of love and light.
(H. Ernest Nichol, 1896)

For reflection
1. Why do you suppose we believers don’t get more excited about the Kingdom than we do?

2. What are you learning about the Kingdom of God by watching Jesus in His ministry?

3. What do you think it means to “seek first” the Kingdom of God and His righteousness?

The kingdom of God had already come, which is why he preached at the beginning that the kingdom of heaven was at hand. . . . But because the kingdom of God was not yet glorious, as it would be in all the world after his resurrection, he said truly, “until they see the kingdom of God after it has come.” Martin Bucer (1491-1551), An Ecclesiasticall Exposition upon Saint Mathewe 17.10

Pray Psalm 72.9-20.
What evidence do you see that the Kingdom of God is coming on earth as it is in heaven? Spread all that evidence before the Lord, giving Him abundant thanks and praise. Ask Him to use you in furthering His Kingdom today.

Sing Psalm 72.9-20.
(Martyrdom: Alas! and Did My Savior Bleed)
And let the Righteous rule the earth, and let His foes bow low.
Let nations praise His matchless worth, and all His bidding do.

The Lord the needy rescues when he cries to Him for grace.
All they who suffer violence find mercy before His face.

Let Christ be praised and all the gold of Sheba be His right.
Let blessings to His Name be told, and prayers made both day and night.

And let the earth abound with grain, let fields His fame proclaim.
And may our King forever reign and nations bless His great Name.

Now bless the God of Israel Who wondrous works performs.
And bless His Name, His glory tell both now and forever more!

T. M. and Susie Moore 

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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (Williston: Waxed Tablet Publications, 2006), available by clicking here.